Mother of Mine, Sweet Child of Thee

"Ruddy..... Ruddy there you are!" Bella exclaimed as she finally found her husband in what was meant to be their daughters bedroom.

It had taken her close to an hour to track down her husband, she had apparated all over looking for him before realising that if he was not amongst the dark lords ranks he would have come to the one place they both still felt connected to their missing child. Although they both had agreed that giving Hermione up was the best chance at protecting her it did not mean that Bella and Rudulphus did not feel her absence every day. It was a massive gaping hole in both their hearts and they knew it would not heal until the day they had their little girl back in their arms.

"Bella.." he whispered from where he sat on the bed they had picked out for her when they first got out of Azkaban.

"I saw her today Ruddy, I saw her" she whispered back as she moved to his side. Hugging him tightly.

"You saw her!!" His eyes lit up, there was only one person in the world that would have his wife so excited to see.

Bella nodded her head vigorously. A beaming smile over her face.

"Well tell me Bella, what's she like? Is she happy? Is she safe? Please you have to tell me" he said in excitement.

"Merlin Rud she's everything. She's beautiful, she's powerful. She's kind and smart and has a whole following around her and the best thing Rud? She's bonded, she's done everything I asked of her in the letter. She's obviously found Andromeda, she's found her veela and the three of them, Mia, Dora and the Veela Fleur they've bonded!! Oh Rud they're gorgeous together" Bella cried out. Tears of happiness running down her face.

"She is Hermione Granger Rud, best friend to Harry Potter. Her and her mates are so powerful, I could feel the power rolling through her magic. I think she has a plan. I dont think she's just letting things play out. She seems to have a firm holding over the entirety of the Hogwarts students. There was at least one person from every house following her today, all older students. They all seemed close. She was laughing, having a good time. She even took our Nephew down a peg or two infront of the entirety of the hogshead. I managed to use mindlink to talk to her from a distance. Just to warn her that while we are under cover she won't like who we have to be and she reassured me she knew. That it was going to be okay and I believe her Rud, I believe her. Our baby is coming home!!" She broke of sobbing, burying herself against her husbands chest as he held her tightly.

"I miss her Bella, I cant wait for this war to be over, so we can bring our baby home once and for all" he whispered softly as he kissed the top of her hair soothingly.

"I miss her too Rud" Bella whispered, so softly he almost missed it. He held her tighter. Both taking comfort in the other as they cried together, rocking gently as they both thought about the future and the day they would once again bring Hermione Andromeda Narcissa Black - Lestrange home.

----

Hermione sat on the sofa in her grandmama's chambers sipping her tea. She pulled out the note Malfoy had given her in hogshead today, intent on reading it before her mates, aunt Andy and her grandmama got back from the order meeting they were attending tonight.

~~

Ms Granger,

While I do not know why and will not dig for the time being as to the reason I would like to express my gratitude to you for what you are doing for my family.

After all you and your friends have been through in the past caused by the actions of my family I would not have blamed you if you had simply refused to help. Regardless it is appreciated. I will do what you have suggested and speak to my son. While it may be wise for me to remain impassive and not give away my switched alliance I feel i can most definitely be of some use.

If you can I ask that you look out for my sister Andromeda. I have no doubt she runs around in your circle as I have seen you with my niece Nymphadora. We may not speak but I still care for my sister greatly and do not wish to see her or Nymphadora harmed in any way.

Stay safe.

Narcissa Malfoy

~~~~

Hermione smiled softly at the note in her hand, although brief Hermione couldn't help but be thankful to have this small piece of her aunt. The delicately scrolled cursive, written by her youngest Aunt was something she knew she would cherish. It showed her that despite the separation, the years of absence from her life her aunt still cared deeply for her family and it reaffirmed to the brunette that although she could not be honest with Narcissa she still had done the best thing for her and for their family.

"Whats that you've got their little witch?" Came her grandmama's voice from behind her. Signalling that they had returned from their order meeting.

Hermione stood and pulled Minerva into a warm hug, pecking her cheek before doing the same with her aunt. "Its a note from Aunt Cissa, here aunt meda i think you should read it first" the young brunette said softly as she pressed it into her aunts hand.

"Oh my!!" Andy exclaimed quietly as she smiled brightly at Hermione before passing the note to Minerva.

"You must have made quite the impression on Cissy, she sounds entirely too polite and honest. You have inadvertently made her like you and that my girl is an impressive feat to accomplish" her aunt laughed happily as she pulled Hermione into her arms and twirled around in a circle with her.

"You'll make me dizzy Auntie please stop" she giggled as she tried to spin out of the way.

Andromeda bringing them to a stop, simply pulled Hermione down onto the sofa with her, placing her niece on her knee as she cuddled into her from behind. "Can you just sit with me little love, ive had an entirely long and stressful day and just need to feel close to my niece" Andromeda whispered, sighing in relief when Hermione simply lent back against her aunt and settled comfortably on her lap.

"Where are the girls?" Hermione questioned, she had noticed that they had not come back with the two older witches.

"They were called away on their first mission Mia, it's why your aunt has turned a little clingy. You're the only one out of the three of you she can hold close right now" Minerva explained gently, offering a sympathetic smile to the two brunettes on her sofa.

"Okay" Hermione whispered as she paled and burried herself closer to her aunt suddenly needing the physical reassurance as much as her aunt did.

"Now tell us what happened in Hogsmead, a certain duo could not stop bragging to the order tonight about how they witnessed you take down Draco Malfoy as if you handed the 'arses' to arrogant wizards all day long every day" Minerva prompted hoping to distract her granddaughter, if only temporarily from her mates absences.

-----

The folllowing few weeks after her first Hogsmead trip passed quietly. The students falling into an easy rhythm of classes, eating, resting and training. Hermione and the founders of Blackbirds Army worked the other students hard teaching them curses, shields and even some useful healing spells.

At least once a week Minerva would sneak Andromeda, Nymohadora and Fleur into the castle and up to the room of requirement to help Hermione train up the rest of the school. These sessions were enjoyed most by all because it allowed them to see the more playful side of their leading lady. Hermione relaxed tenfold in the presence of her mates and aunt and often engaged the entire Army in fun duels to build their stamina.

However this all came to a grinding hault one evening (luckily it was not an evening her mates and aunt were present) when Minerva could not lead Umbridge away from her hunt. The toad faced nuisance had grown tired of always failing to catch Hermione and her friends in the act of whatever it was they were up to and this unfortunately had led to her upping the pressure on her group if Slytherin puppets to find the young gryffindor and her friends.

Even with the little warning they recieved Hermione managed to get the majority of Blackbirds army out of the RoR unseen but doing so meant that she left herself, Harry, Neville and Ginny to get caught by the awful woman.

Being dragged up to Dumbledore's office by a greasy handed Slytherin was entirely uncomfortable for the youngsters, however Hermione felt quite lucky that it was Draco that took a hold of her.

"I'm sorry Granger, I couldnt lead her away this time" he had whispered too her apologetically and somewhat fearfully. She could tell he was scared that she would withdraw her help as a result.

"Its alright I promise Draco" she had whispered back and let him lead her up to the headmasters office.

Having Dumbledore take the fall for their unauthorised club was a surprise but the cheeky wink and the playful twinkle in his eyes let Hermione know that Albus knew exactly what they had been doing and was all too willing to take the rap for it.

Seeing him escape the castle hanging onto a bird (even if that bird was a Pheonix) was entirely comical.

Seeing as the students could not be punished for working under the direct orders of the headmaster Umbridge reluctantly let them go, warning them that should they continue they would find themselves punished, imprisoned or even expelled (which was a worse fate in Hermione's eyes).

Just as they left the headmasters office Hermione lent in to whisper in Harry's ear "Grandmama's chamber in 20 mins, gather the Royal court, except Slytherin". Harry nodded in agreement before splitting away from his best friend as he went to do as asked.

----

Minerva was shocked when Hermione had explained what had just happened. She was saddend to hear that her eldest friend had fled the castle but was relieved that his actions had protected her Gramddaughter from the clutches of Umbridge. That pink toad of a woman was becoming entirely too much of a problem amd Minerva was becoming more and more enraged each time she heard her girl tell another tale of how Umbridge had punished her classmates and her over the year.

"You need to remain under her radar from now on love, I cannot stand to watch what she is fling to this school" Minerva whispered as she held her grandchild close.

"I dont think I can remain under her radar even if I do follow every one of her ridiculous rules to the t grandmama, she despises me. I've lost count of how many times she's called me a mudblood. She has a vendetta against muggle-borns" Hermione explained as she hugged Minerva just as tightly.

"But I promise I'll do my best to go unnoticed" she said, smiling up at the older witch reassuringly.

The knock at the door brought the two witches out of their moment of closeness as Hermione moved to let Blackbird in.

"Hermione we came as soon as Harry filled us in" Cedric said as he pulled her into a hug.

"It's alright the plan was to ensure the majority got away and they did. Come take a seat everyone, we best make this quick lest Toad and co come snooping" Hermione said as her friends laughed at her ability to continually come up with more and more insults for Umbridge.

"I assume you have a plan?" Neville asked as all five of her friends got themselves comfortable on the sofa and seats of her grandmothers living quarters.

"I sure do" she smiled. "We cannot continue training as a large group, she will have us being monitored. So we resort to plan B, each of you will teach your houses in the dormitories for an hour each night after curfew. Cedric, Luna, I will come help you. I'm exceptionally good at sneaking around after curfew on my own. I will switch witch of you I help each day so you aren't always on your own" she explained, her voice as confident as always.

"Yes Hermione, I knew you wouldn't let Toadface stop us" Ginny answered, amusement clear in her tone.

"You're brilliant Mione" Neville agreed, beaming at his friend.

"We need to keep it on the down low though. Ensure your houses know the same rules still apply. It is not spoken of outside of their dorms."

The brunette smiled to herself as she watched her friends leave a short while later. Umbridge may be trying her damn hardest to control them but they would not just simply lie down and let her or the ministry take away their freewill to choose their own path.

-------

The next month flew by for Hermione and she hadn't heard a word from her mother since that day in hogsmead (not that she really expected she would). Between Blackbirds Army training secretly in their dormatries, keeping up with her course work, avoiding Umbridge and her merry little band of Slytherins and still finding as much time as possible to spend time with her friends and family she barely had a chance to register the month of March arriving, with it the start of her O.W.L.S exams.

Hermione knew she would do well, she was more magically advanced than the entire school after all but she still worried over them. It wouldn't do to get a perfect score in every exam. That would draw too much attention to herself so as she sat here in her divination exam she found herself stressing over what questions were most logical for her to get wrong.

Sure she hated the subject, felt it pointless but she still had a firm grasp on the magic and theories behind it. In a world where her whole life had been uprooted by a prophecy it would do her no good to disregard it.

Just as she was filling in the last question on the parchment a sudden commotion from her peers drew her out of her own mind and her gaze went towards the window where her class mates were pointing and screaming in alarm.

She didnt know if it was a result of instinct or a result of all her raining but Hermione found herself infront of the window in seconds and the scene before her froze her heart.

There in the grounds was Umbridge and four aurors all pointing their wands at Hagrid. He looked somewhat terrified but what really scared her was the furiously terrified look on her grandmamas face as the older witch rushed towards Hagrids aid. Hermione found herself running from the room without much further thought.

Calling a quick "Harry its Grandmama and Hagrid" over her shoulder. The panic in her voice enough to elert Harry, Neville and a few other members of Blackbirds army to the danger their favourite professors were in. Without discussion they took off after their Lady, intent on helping her defend the people they loved.

Hermione arrived on the grounds just as umbridge and the aurors all cast a stunner at her grandmother and the older witch fell to her knees.

"STOP!!!!" Hermione screamed as she found herself hurtling towards the chaos.
Umbridge in alarm aimed her wand at the young brunette and was slightly terrified when she saw the large group of students following. Before the toad of a woman could do much damage all the students bad surrounded Hagrid, Hermione and Minerva. Protecting the back of a sobbing Hermione as she knelt over her grandmama's unconscious body.

Casting a wordless patronus Hermione called for Madame Pomfrey to come help as soon as she could and the young teen refocused on her grandmother. Casting various healing charms Hermione worked quickly to stop the internal bleeding she knew would have occurred as a result of being hit by so many stunners at once. She could vaguely hear Harry speaking in the background, yelling at umbridge for her complete recklessness, while the rest of the present members of Blackbird stood furiously around her firmly shielding their leader and her Grandmother.

She sat back on her heals and fished out a pain potion, a blood replenishing potion and a dreamless sleep potion and helped the still unconscious witch swallow them, knowing fine well that the only thing left was to ensure her Grandmama slept amd rested as much as possible.

"Out of the way and let the aurors take her away" screamed Umbridge causing Hermione to spin and lock her gaze upon the pink clad woman.

"No the aurors will not deal with her, she did nothing wrong, she did not attack nor cast a single spell, if anyone attack it was you and those aurors. No one will touch her until Poppy gets here. She needs rest and a hospital" Hermione said, voice loud, clear, confident but everyone heard the clear fury in her voice. It was present enough that Umbridge seemed to back down a little, fearful of what may happen if she provided the little witch any further.

"Ms Granger is right she needs a hospital." Madame Pomfrey called as she finally arrived, Madame Hooch and professor Flitwick following behind.

"Stand down" Hermione said quietly, so as not to draw the attention of Umbridge, releasing Blackbird from their self imposed security detail.

"Hermione update me please little witch" Pomfrey said as she knelt by Hermione's side and ran her own diagnostic spells.

"Multiple stunners recoeved to the middle of her chest and neck at the same time. There was internal bleeding, blood loss and extreme fatigue to the muscles around her chest. I've healed the internal bleeding, stopped the blood loss. Administered a blood replenishing, dreamless sleep and pain potion, masaged down her throat." Hermione said clearly, her voice void of emotion as she tried not to fall apart again seeing her grandmama in such a state.

"You've done a marvelous job, she'll be fine, back to full health in a few weeks. I can only congratulate and thank you Hermione if you hadn't have reacted so fast she wouldn't have made it." Pomfrey said gently as she clasped the little witch who had come to mean so much to the entire school on the shoulder in sympathy. Pomfrey believed that Hermione had been through entirely too much in her young life already and couldn't imagine the turmoil she was facing right now knowing her Grandmama could have died. Minerva may not be the little girls blood but Pomfrey had seen the love and adoration the two witches held for one another and knew one would be lost without the other.

"Okay love lets get your grandmama up to the castle and you can sit with her a while okay?" The healer said as she motioned for Harry and Neville to help Hermione to her feet. The young witch appeared to be entering a state of shock now that she knew Minerva was going to be okay.

----
Once Minerva was situated as comfortably as possible in the most private area of the castles hospital ward Hermione waisted no time in crawling into the bed beside her. It broke Poppy, Harry and Neville's heart to see the silent tears that began streaming down the usually so lively and bubbly little witches face as she curled her body tightly against her grandmother. Burying her face against the older witches neck and clinging to her as she completely zoned out of all that was going on around her.

"I think we need to find a way of getting a hold of Andromeda Tonks Madame Pomfrey" Neville said unable to watch his bestfriends pain.

"Why Andromeda?" Pomfrey questioned curiously.

"As far as I am aware, Professor McGonagall and Hermione have spent a lot of time with the Tonks family. They offered to aid Hermione through her parents trial and they've grown close." Harry lied smoothly, fully aware that he couldn't reveal the truth yet knowing his bestfriend needed her aunt. "Right now I think Mrs Tonks will be the only one able to settle Hermione in the slightest"

"Very well, use the floo in my office to call her" Poppy granted. She didnt know the Tonks family were so close to Minerva but if their presence would give Minerva's grandchild some comfort she was all for it.

"No need Madame Pomfrey" called a voice from behind the observers.

"A young Ms Lovegood sent me an owl, detailing what happened and insisting that my presence was required here immediately. Now I can see why. If you don't mind stepping out and giving me some privacy with the little witch" Andromeda Tonks commanded as she strode past Pomfrey, Harry and Neville.

"Of course Madame Tonks ill be in my office if you require anything" pomfrey said, nodding her head respectively at the powerful witch infront of her. It was rather startling to see one of the Black sisters exercise themselves the way Andromeda had just done but she could see the urge to protect and defend gleaming in the brunettes eyes and was not about to give the witch any reason to see her as a threat.

"Oh and another thing Umbridge does not set foot in this hospital or you'll be dealing with me" Andromeda's voice was dripping with barely concealed threat as she watched Pomfrey and the two teen boys retreat from the room.

She had been furious when the lovegood girl had owled her explaining what had happened and her heart broke when she saw her little niece lying beside her grandmother looking so broken.

Andromeda wasted no time in picking the brunette up and sitting with her in the seat by Minerva's bed.

"It's alright baby, Auntie's got you, ive got you" she shushed gently as she rocked the little witch in a similar manner as you would an infant. Recognising that right now Hermione felt entirely lost without her grandmama.

"They hurt her" Hermione whispered, "she didnt do anything bad auntie, they hurt her for protecting Hagrid" the young brunette sobbed, clinging tightly to her aunts shirt, head birried against her aunts front as she felt soothing fingers run through her hair and the grip of the arm that held her to her aunt tightly.

"I know baby, they were wrong to hurt her, but you saved her, you saved her and she's going to be alright." Andromeda reassured feeling rather inept as she didnt know how to make anything better.

"What do you need Hermione?" Andromeda whispered as her niece continued to sob uncontrollably.

"I..I just need you to hold me" Hermione ground out as she clung tighter as if she was trying to merge herself with her aunt.

"Okay, I've got you baby, just breath"

Hours later Andromeda was woken with a gently kiss placed on each of her cheeks. She looked up to find Fleur and Dora looking down at her with a smile but clear concern in their eyes.

"How's grandmama?" Dora whispered as she looked Minerva over quickly.

"She's alright, she will be out of it for a few weeks but thanks to Hermione's quick reflexes she will live. Luna said Hermione heeled her as soon as she saw her grandmotger drop" Andromeda explained quietly trying her best to ensure she didn't wake her niece who had cried herself to sleep in Andromeda's arms and still clung to the older brunette tightly.

"How's Mia?" Fleur asked as she came to stand beside her mother in law.

"She's exhausted, pomfrey said she went into shock as soon as she heard Minerva would be fine. Little hero made sure she held out long enough to ensure her grandmamas safely before having to the panic. She sobbed herself to sleep. Took hours to settle her. But she's finally peaceful and I haven't wanted to disrupt that by moving her" Andromeda explained as she gazed lovingly down at her nieces peaceful face.

"She looks so much like Bella like this, it makes my heart ache" She whispered placing a gentle kiss on Hermione's forehead.

"I am glad zey are alright" fleur smiled softly, placing her hand on Andromedas shoulder. Sensing the older witches upset. She transfigured two extra seats and summoned a blanket from one of the beds to wrap around Hermione and Andromeda.

"The ministry are up in the air about it all. The aurors have been charged and fired for the unlawful attach on a prestigious figure of the community and they're debating pulling Umbrige out of Hogwarts. They've got word about everything she's been doing to the kids but they don't want to remove her unless they have no choice." Dora said as she settled on the chair next to her mother and soul mates.

"Harry said that if Minerva hadn't been so critical he fully believes Hermione would have gone for Umbrige for even daring to think about harming her grandmother." Andromeda chuckled quietly.

"She is fierce zat iz true, she does not even like eet when someone looks at Dora or I" Fleur laughed, Dora joining in as they both recalled several instances that Hermione had got quite upset at men eying them when they had been out.

"It doesn't surprise me, Bella is just as bad. Be thankful she wasn't around when you three were merely courting she would have given you hell for the amount of times we interrupted your slow corruption of her baby girl" Andromeda laughed tenderly as she allowed herself to smile with her daughter and daughter in law.

"We have all that to look forward too" Dora agreed.

The three spent the rest of the night watching over their little witch and grandmother. Refusing to allow any more harm to come to them for as long as they could help it.

-------

Three days later Hermione was finally convinced to go back to class and leave the hospital wing. She had point blank refused the first few days. She had sat by her grandmothers bed, studying for her final exam. Guarding her Grandmama and taking comfort in the presence of her aunt and soulmates.

It took Andromeda sending Fleur and Dora away then threatening Hermione that she would punish her for her cheek to get her to agree to leave amd return to her classes. She may never have suffered a punishment at her aunts hand before but she knew enough from Dora to know that she did NOT want to risk a punishment at the hands of her aunt. Dora had cringed as she informed Fleur and Hermione that after one particular punishment she hadn't been able to sit for three days. So the brunette being the smart little witch she was had backed down because thanks Aunt Andy but no thanks.

Returning to classes hadn't been all that difficult. All faculty had known exactly where Hermione had been holding out the past few days and completely understood the brunettes need to be beside her grandmama. Even Snape had been rather understanding. In a rare moment of humanity from the dark man he had offered his sympathies and told the little witch if she needed anything she could come to him. She had a sneaking suspicion that this man was also one of Dumbledore's spies among the dark lords ranks but only time would tell.

It wasn't until she reached her final class - defence against the dark arts - that things got a little difficult. Umbridge was in a foul mood and as soon as Hermione had entered the classroom she had felt the evil womans glare on her.

"Ah Ms Granger, finished skiving have we?" She had snided, lips pulled back in a cruel smirk.

"If sitting beside my unconscious Grandmother who you attacked illegally counts as skiving then sure" Hermione retorted icily. All to aware of the shocked and horrified looks that passed her classmates faces. Whether it was because they hadn't known what had happened to Professor McGonagall or whether they were scared for Hermione's safety after her lip she didnt know, nor could she find it within herself to care.

"I would watch your tone Ms Granger, unless you want to find yourself sitting in detention for the remainder of the year" the pink clad witch spat before she turned her attention to the lesson.

Hermione sat seething as she tried to refrain from hexing the nasty woman. She had never been so furious, never hated anyone as much as she did Delores Umbridge.

----

The following day saw Hermione and the entirety of her oeer group filing into the great hall to sit their final exam of the year. Defence against the Dark Arts. Hermione and the rest of Blackbird were thankfully more than prepared for the exam thanks to the training they had recieved and the members of Blackbirds army were silently more than grateful to Hermione and the others for having the initiative to start up Blackbirds Army. They knew without it they would have failed drastically.

Just as the exam was drawing to a close the entire hall was startled by a loud bang right outside the hall doors. The students looking on curiously as the banging continued and Umbridge marched furiously towards the doors to scold and punish whoever was making such a rachet.

No one could contain their laughter when moments later she came racing back in screaming. A firework dragon chasing closely behind, followed by Fred and George Weasley who flew around the hall laughing giddily on broomsticks. Hermione allowed herself to be swept up by the crowed as they rushed to follow Umbridge and the Weasley twins out of the room and into the school courtyard.

She only felt a slight twinge of annoyance for having to leave her un finished exam behind.

"No way is that the weasleys"

"They've got more guts than brains"

Various voices called in admiration as the students cheered and laughed at Umbridges indignant sqwaking as she was chased in a circle by various animal fireworks.

The brunette witch was mesmerised as the fireworks suddenly shot upwards, exploding into four separate animals in house colours. There was a green snake, a yellow badger, a blue raven and a red lion. She cheered alongside her friends as the animals swirled beautifully together before forming the hogwarts loco right in the centre of the courtyard.

"For McGonagall" the twins shouted.

"For McGonagall" the crowd screamed back and Hermione felt herself beam with pride and warmth at this innocent protest of what had happened to her grandmother. She would have to remember to thank Fred and George later.

It was just as this thought crossed her mind that she noticed Harry clutch his head and begin to fall. She rushed to his side instantly.

"Harry, Harry whats wrong" she called as she guided him with Neville's help to sit down on the nearest steps.

"What is it Harry" Ginny called as she, Luna and Cedric joined them.

"Sirius, voldemort has sirius" Harry called in a panic. His terrified eyes wide open as he looked at Hermione for help.

"Tell us what you saw Harry, where was he?"

"The ministry, the orbs and Voldemort was standing over him torturing him" he explained his eyes pleading for Hermione to understand.

"Okay take a breath, it could be a trap Harry, we already have the prophecy but he doesn't know that. He could be luring us in" Hermione explained gently.

"We have to find out Mione, I cant, I cant lose him" Harry whispered, a tear escaping his eye.

"Youre right, we can floo call Grimmauld place and check if he's there. If he isn't we notify the order and go get him out okay?" Hermione instructed, grabbing his hand and pulling him up.

"Umbridge has control of the floos, even your grandmothers." Neville added.

"Umbridge is busy, we use the one in her room. Luna, Ginny, Neville keep watch. Cedric with me and Harry" she said as she began to pull them towards the headmistress's office.

Once they got their Harry wasted no time in placing the floo call and sticking his head through the fire, calling desperately for Sirius.

After a few moments he pulled himself back, face looking ashen as he turned to face Hermione and Cedric.

"His elf, Kreecher said he wasn't in and wouldn't tell me where he would be, said the bloodtraitor wouldn't be back" he whispered as he began to make his way towards the door.

"And just what do we have here" called the very unwelcome dulcet tones of Umbridge as she burst into the room, followed by Draco and the Slytherins, Luna, Neville and Ginny clutched between them.

"Get their wands" umbridge shouted, motioning to draco, Crabbe and Goyle. The three Slytherins did as asked and Draco grabbed hold of Hermione and her wand. Crabbe held onto Cedric and Goole grabbed a hold of Harry.

"Someone send for Snape, these filth were up to something and I want to know what" she declared, Pansy Parkinson nodded her head and rushed of to do as she was bid.

Hermione inwardly groaned, they didn't have time for this.

"Who were you trying to contact. It was Dumbledore wasn't it, Wasnt it. ANSWER ME!" the toad screeched. Swivling madly to glare at each member of Blackbird in turn.

Hermione took the distraction to lean herself into draco, moving her mouth as close to his ear as possible.

"I am going to distract her and lead her out of here. I need you to let the others go. It is serious, someone is in danger and if we do not get out of here they're going to die" she whispered. So low that Draco had to strain close to hear her. She felt him losen his grip on her and whisper a quiet "understood" as she returned her focus onto the happenings in the room.

Snape had arrived and looked a little perturbed to find Hermione and her friends being man handled but Hermione knew thats because she was watching him closely that she had seen the emotion before he put on his usual bored look of indifference.

"I need a vial of Verituserum Snape, this boy and his friends were caught red handed trying to contact someone through the floo and I intend to find out who" Umbridge explained haughtily. The picture of utter self importance.

"I am afraid I do not have any left Headmistress. You used the last vial last week questioning Potter. I am making more but it will take to the end of the month" he replied coldly as he turned to leave.

Harry in a moment of panic began shouting after him. "Padfoot, he has Padfoot in the room where its hidden" he called desperately hoping Snape would understand what he meant. Snape paused momentarily to look back.

"What is he going on about Severus" Umbridge questioned icily.

"I have no idea, if I wanted to speak to a bumbling buffoon I could easily remedy a potion for that Potter" he snarked before leaving the room in a flury of black robes.

"Fine" Umbridge snarled in disgust as she rounded on Harry. "If i can't use a potion I just have to find a more creative way to extract the answers from you Potter. Yes, it is a dire situation, im sure the minister.. yes what he doesn't know won't hurt him" she called cheerfully before her gaze hardened and her body went rigid.

"CRUC...." She began.

"Wait, wait we have to tell her Harry" Hermione called. Bringing her hands to her face to convey the image of her crying.

"Yes yes what is it dear girl tell me" Umbridge called gleefully. Clearly amused that she had upset the mudblood.

"Its a weapon" she sobbed. "We were making a weapon, Dumbledore showed us how, told us to let him now when it was finished. We were trying to let him know we had done what he asked" she cried pitifully, shaking her shoulders in a fake display of helplessness.

A display that Umbridge lapped right up.

"A weapon, where?" She asked, grasping Hermione's chin tightly.

"The..the forest" Hermione swallowed. A plan forming in her head as she spoke.

"You'll take me to this weapon. Potter too seeing as you two seem to be the ring leaders. The rest of you keep the other filth here, ill deal with them when I get back" Umbridge explained as she began marching Hermione and Harry out towards the forest.

As they reached the edges of the forest Umbridge released the two youngsters, demanding that they lead her to this weapon.

"Shouldn't we have the wand then? Just incase we need to protect ourselves" Harry had asked, which only resulted in a scoff from the pink clad woman as she shoved them forward.

Hermione took charge, leading them further and further into the forest in the direction she knew the Centaurs inhabited. Deliberately making as much noise as possible as she went. Harry knowing that Hermione was being deliberately louder than she needed to be joined in. Making as much noise as possible figuring that Hermione wanted to draw attention to the small group.

When the ground started shaking slightly with the sound of approaching hoofs Hermione smirked at Harry confirming for the green eyed boy that he was correct in assuming she had a plan.

She pulled Harry down beside her as she sunk to her knees.

"Keep your head down" she hissed at him.

"Whats going to happen?" he quiried as he followed her instruction.

"We are going to ask them for help in getting away from Unbridge"

The pair could hear Umbridge shouting insults at the centaurs around them. Her loud scream indicating that she had been caught by one of them.

"Young ones, why do you kneel on the ground while your professor struggles" a deep masculine voice asked.

"Sir if you would, may I stand and address you?" Hermione called politely.

"You may young witch, state your name" he said as Hermione got to her feet. She glanced over at umbridge and noted that despite her struggling, trying to free herself from the centaurs clutches behind her she was listening intently to Hermione. Noting this she cast a quick mufliato charm, wandlessly and wordlessly around Umbridge ensuring she couldn't hear.

"I'm sorry for having to use my magic, you see it's important that my.true identity is not known to those I do not trust explicitly with my life." She explained as she finally made eye contact with who she was assuming was their leader.

"And you trust us to hear this name?" He asked sceptically but Hermione could hear the slight pitch of hope and curiosity to his tone.

"I do sir, you have given me no reason to distrust you and my grandmama always says that centaurs are one of the most intelligent creatures alive and I trust her judgement." Hermione explained.

"Very well, your name young one?" He asked.

"My full name is Hermione Andromeda Narcissa Black-Lestrange only child of Bellatrix Black and Rudulphus Lestrange Sir but for my own protection I go by Hermione Granger and am believed to be a muggle-born. Very few know my true identity and it must remain that way while the darkness lingers" she said confidently. Bowing deeply in respect.

"You have no reason to bow child born to the eldest star, we are honoured to meet you finally. Our LADY OF LIGHT". He called, raising his voice to ensure his herd caught his words as he declared her prophesied identity. He bowed deeply, the other centaurs bowing alongside him.

"Please" she called gently. "You have no reason to bow, I would never ask that of you" she said, her voice quiet.

"And that my Lady is why people will bow willingly. Your heart is so pure that you will grow commanding respect by all and it will be willingly given young one, do not doubt your future or your path. You are doing your family and our world proud" he told her sweetly as he walked closer.

"Please tell your young friend he can rise" he said gently.

"Harry" Hermione called quietly as she offered her bestfriend her hand.

"Now why is it you are in the forest with that god awful woman?" He asked them both.

"Someone we care about is in danger and we needed to contact them. She caught us trying to use the floo network and decided she would torture Harry if we didn't tell her who we were trying to contact. You see she's really not a nice person. She attacks muggleborn amd half blood students daily and has attacked my grandmama who is a professor as well. She ran out headmaster out of the school amd tried to throw our divination professor out as well so when she threatened to harm Harry I made up a story to lead her out here hoping I could figure out how to ditch her and make it back so we can go help the person who is in danger." Hermione explained as Harry nodded along in agreement. The worry evident in his eyes.

"Your grandmama is McGonagall yes?" He asked for confirmation.

"Yes she is my bond-grandmother sir, she's still in the hospital amd hasn't woken up since the attack. I had to heal her and if I had been any slower she would have died" replied the brunette as she felt her heart clench in worry again as she remembered how her grandmother had looked lying bleeding in the grass.

"We will deal with this woman for you. Rest assured she will pay for her crimes. She must also answer for her crimes against my own. Go ahead and leave here. I wish you luck and will see you again my Lady" he bowed again as he turned and signalled for his people to follow.

Hermione and Harry wasted no time in following his lead as they too turned and fled back towards the castle.

"You're bloody brilliant Hermione" Harry called proudly as they reached the forest edge.

"Mione"

"Harry"

They heard as they brome free of the tree line. Relieved to see her friends had all escaped the Slytherins she moved quickly towards them.

"How did you all escape?" Harry asked in confusing spotting Luna, Neville, Cedric and Ginny standing waiting on them on the path with their wands.

"Draco convinced the others that he Crabbe and Goyle were enough to keep us there. When they left he distracted the other two boys long enough for us to get our wands and knock them out. We grabbed your wands too" Ginny said proudly as she pulled out the wands.

"Okay how are we going to get to the ministry?" Hermione queried.

"We fly of course" Luna said happily as she pointed to nothing at all.

"The abraxans Luna you're genious" Harry said as he moved forward.

"Okay guys you gotta remember that you two are the only ones that can see them, you'll have to help us get on one" Neville said nervously.

"Of course" Luna chirped as she took his hand and guided him.

Hermione smiled. They may not know what they were about to face but she was sure of one thing, at least now she knew Delores Umbridge would be made to pay for ever harming her Grandmama and every other student in this school.

Payback is a witch or in this case a payback is a centaur she thought before she pulled her mind back into focus and moved towards her friends.